The objectives of this study are to understand the interactions of disinfection byproducts (DBPs) with natural organic matter (NOM)
and flocs during conventional treatment, focusing on the solid / liquid phase formation of
DBPs, and to characterize and quantify the extent of DBPs that form under chlorine and
chlorine dioxide preoxidant application. A bench-scale jar testing apparatus was used to simulate the full-scale conventional
treatment process. A modified jar with limited headspace was used in all experiments to
minimize the loss of volatile DBPs. Tests were conducted at 20°C ± 1°C with aluminum
sulfate (Al2(SO4)3 · 14H2O, alum) as the coagulant, and preliminary tests were performed to
select the alum dose needed to meet US Environmental Protection Agency's (USEPA) enhanced coagulation total organic carbon (TOC) removal
requirements. Jar tests were run to simulate rapid mix, tapered
flocculation and sedimentation. This research plan utilized four waters. The source waters were selected
from distinct geographical locations within the United States to encompass a spectrum of raw
water quality, such as turbidity and NOM concentration as measured by total organic carbon
(TOC). Alum was dosed from a stock concentration of 20 g/L prepared from Fisher Scientific
certified grade aluminum sulfate. The oxidants that were used in the study were taken from
the following stock solutions: chlorine 3675 mg/L; and, chlorine dioxide 2000 mg/L,
generated on site at Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado. Adsorbable organic halogens (AOX) measurements were conducted using a
Mitsubishi model TOX-10 using a modified Standard Method 5320B. Trihalomethanes
(THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs) were analyzed using a HP GC 6890 applying a
modified USEPA Method 551.1 and a modified Standard Method 6251 B, respectively. The experimental approach included chlorine, natural organic matter, floc and disinfection byproduct interactions during coagulation. Includes 3 references, tables, figures.